US President Donald Trump issued on Saturday 12 July 2025 letters — posted on Truth Social and other channels — informing the European Union that a 30 percent tariff will be imposed on their exports to the U.S. starting 1 August 2025, unless a new trade agreement is reached before that date.
Trump’s previous deadline was 9 July 2025.
Similar to letters issued to Asian leaders, Trump framed his move as a counterbalance to longstanding trade deficits and barriers, calling the relationship “far from reciprocal.” He also threatened additional surcharges if retaliatory tariffs are implemented.
The European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, has delayed retaliatory tariffs to give negotiations a chance before 1 August—though it’s preparing countermeasures worth tens of billions of euros if needed.
White House Economic Adviser Kevin Hassett emphasized that the tariffs “are real if the President doesn’t get a deal that he thinks is good enough,” but noted talks are ongoing.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen told DR that Trump’s decision is “pointless and very shortsighted.”
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson warned on SVT that “everyone loses out from an escalated trade conflict, and it will be US consumers who pay the highest price.”
Both echoed broader EU concerns: a 30 percent tariff could hit key industries—like Danish machinery or Swedish auto exports—and would likely backfire on U.S. businesses and consumers.
Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen called the tariffs “concerning,” emphasizing that “there are no winners in a trade war. Businesses, consumers, and economic growth suffer,” and reaffirmed that “Finland is prepared as part of the Union to respond and negotiate.”
Although not in the EU, Norway has expressed strong concern. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre described Trump’s initial threats—including the possibility of a 50 percent punitive tariff on EU and Norway—as “dramatic” and “bad for the economy in our part of the world.”
Norwegian Trade Minister Cecilie Myrseth confirmed Norway hasn’t yet received a tariff letter, but warned that imports could still face duties of 10–15 percent and said the government “will continue our conversations with the US on trade and stronger economic cooperation”
A business representative noted over two-thirds of Norwegian exports go to the EU, so disruption could ripple into the U.S. market through EU retaliation.
The EU is preparing countermeasures targeting sectors such as pharmaceuticals, cars, and wine, in the tens of billions of euros